Barack Obama to visit Sydney, Melbourne in March for Growth Faculty speaking events
Barack Obama will make his first official trip down under in nearly a decade when he delivers two speeches on leadership in March next year.
Former US president Barack Obama will visit Australia to deliver speeches on leadership at in-person events in March next year, marking his first official trip down under in nearly a decade.
Mr Obama, who served as the 44th US president from 2009-2017, is set to speak at Aware Super Theatre in Sydney on March 28 and John Cain Arena in Melbourne on March 29.
The 61-year-old last visited Australia in formal capacity in 2014 for the G20 leaders’ summit in Brisbane. He was also hosted by then prime minister Julia Gillard in 2011, when he travelled to the Northern Territory and confirmed plans for a rotating US military presence on Australian soil.
The former leader of the Democratic Party is one of only five US presidents to have visited Australia while in office, according to US Embassy records.
The upcoming “An Evening with Barack Obama” events in Sydney and Melbourne, run by Growth Faculty, will feature Mr Obama discussing strength in leadership and techniques for navigating an unpredictable future, the business leadership events provider said.
General tickets, on sale 9am Thursday, cost $195 per head. In Sydney, attendees can opt for a platinum ticket – to the tune of $895 – which also includes canapes and drinks for an hour before the event but does not include Mr Obama’s participation.
Sydney-based Growth Faculty has previously hosted events with Mr Obama and wife Michelle in Singapore. The organisation has been hosting events featuring “thought leaders” in the Asia-Pacific since 2003.
The evenings with Mr Obama marks Growth Faculty’s return to in-person events, with the organisation hosting live streams during the pandemic. Live stream tickets can also be purchased for those unable to physically attend.
“Today, I’m incredibly excited to relaunch our live, in-person events and it is a great honour to be able to welcome President Obama,” Growth Faculty chief executive and founder Karen Beattie said.
“There‘s no leader better equipped to share their experience, unique strategy and wisdom, and we're thrilled he’s chosen us for this limited and exclusive event.”
Mr Obama has remained politically active post-presidency, most recently campaigning for Democratic candidates at the US midterms.
He also penned memoir A Promised Land, published in 2020. Platinum ticket holders for the Sydney event will receive a copy.
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